https://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?action=history&feed=atom&title=PheniPheni - Revision history2026-11-15T07:00:07ZRevision history for this page on the wikiMediaWiki 1.43.6https://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?title=Pheni&diff=525354&oldid=prevEldarljt: Made new entry2026-05-05T10:54:30Z<p>Made new entry</p>
<p><b>New page</b></p><div>{{Short description|Type of vermicelli from Indian subcontinent}}<br />
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{{Redirect distinguish|Khajla|Khaja}}<br />
{{Use Pakistani English|date=March 2026}}<br />
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2026}}<br />
{{Infobox food<br />
| name = Pheni<br />
| image = Pheni 2020 Rawalpindi.png<br />
| caption = Pheni in a market in [[Rawalpindi]], Pakistan<br />
| alt = A bunch of nest-like threaded food having golden brown color<br />
| alternate_name = Fenia<ref>{{cite book |title=People of India Maharashtra (Part Three Volume xxx) |author1=Kumar Suresh Singh |author2=B. V. Bhanu |author3=Anthropological Survey of India |year=2004 |publisher=Popular Prakashan, 2004 |isbn=978-81-7991-102-0 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4bfmnmsBfQ4C&q=Fenia |access-date=12 March 2026 |page=1752}}</ref><br />
| country = [[Rajasthan]]<br />
| region = [[Indian subcontinent]]<br />
| served = <br />
| main_ingredient = [[Semolina]]<br>[[Flour]]<br />
| variations = Sutarfeni<br>Khajla<br />
| calories = <br />
| other = <br />
}}<br />
<br />
'''Pheni''' or '''fenia''' is a form of [[vermicelli]] from the [[Indian subcontinent]]. Although similar to ''[[Vermicelli#History in Asia|seviyan]]'', pheni uses finer noodles. Pheni is ritually used for the [[Karva Chauth]] festival, which is celebrated in parts of India, where it is one of the dishes on the traditional platter ''sargi thali'' and is consumed just before the fast associated with the festival begins.<br />
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Similar dishes include '''khajla''' and '''sutarfeni'''; latter of these originates from [[Rajasthan]]. Since khajla and pheni are used as traditional foods for [[Ramadan]] in different cities of Pakistan, therefore, its preparation creates job opportunities for additional labour, and the trade for multiple grain industries rises.<br />
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==Etymology==<br />
The term ''sutarfeni'' is a combination of two words; ''sutar'' means thread and ''feni'' means fine.<ref name=Locavore/> The food's name pheni is derived from ''phenaka'', which is defined in Sanskrit dictionary as "a kind of pastry", and included various kinds of layered fried doughs.<ref>{{cite web |title=Phenaka |url=https://sanskritdictionary.com/?iencoding=iast&q=phenaka%22&lang=sans&action=Search |access-date=13 March 2026 |website=Sanskrit Dictionary}}</ref><ref name=cadbury>{{cite web |title=A Brief History of Suterfeni |url=https://www.cadburydessertscorner.com/quickbites/a-brief-history-of-sutarfeni |access-date=20 April 2026 |website=Cadbury Desserts Corner |author=Niveditha K}}</ref><br />
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==Preparation and serving==<br />
{{Multiple image<br />
| align = left<br />
| total_width = 270<br />
| image1 = Pheni 2020 Rawalpindi.gif<br />
| image2 = Doodh Pheni (2).jpg<br />
| footer = From stretching the dough into multiple layers (left) to a serving of pheni with milk (right)<br />
| alt1 = Act of stretching a dough into multiple layers by hand<br />
| alt2 = A bowl filled with pheni soaked up in milk, along with a spoon<br />
}}<br />
The basic ingredient of pheni is [[semolina]] or [[flour]], from which a [[dough]] is made using either [[ghee]] or [[vegetable oil]], depending upon the quality{{sndash}}as with any other [[vermicelli]]. The difference lies in the processing: when the dough is converted into small balls, the artisan stretches these into layers. Ghee is applied and the layer is rolled back to rest for a while. The process is repeated until multiple finely thin layers are formed, while ghee prevents each layer fusing together. It is then transformed into a finely threaded flatbread, which is then deep fried until a roasted color appears. After draining the excess oil, pheni is ready to be served with milk because it has the ability to soak up the liquid.{{efn|name=sum}}<br />
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{{anchor|Khajla}}<br />
{{anchor|Sutarfeni}}<br />
[[File:Pathar peni.jpg|thumb|upright|Sutarfeni in a market in [[Karnataka]], India|alt=A bunch of nest-like threaded food having whitish color]]<br />
Alternately, dishes like suterfeni and khajla can be prepared which are similar to pheni but have a slight difference in how they are processed. Suterfeni is a kind of pheni which originates from [[Rajasthan]], but it is served as a ready-made sweet dish, that resembles a bird's nest, in which additional flavours and scents can be added by using either honey, [[saffron]], [[rose water]], or similar. Khajla, however, is also served with milk just like pheni during Ramadan, but it is prepared by [[deep frying]] the flatbreads directly without making threads out of the dough balls, until they are roasted and expanded.{{efn|1=Pieces of information are gathered from multiple sources, such as ''The Locavore''<ref name=Locavore>{{cite web |title=Acacia Honey "Sutarfeni" |url=https://thelocavore.in/2024/08/07/acacia-honey-sutarfeni |access-date=7 August 2024 |website=The Locavore |author=Archish Kashikar}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Old Delhi's Flaky Ramadan Treat |url=https://thelocavore.in/2025/04/20/old-delhis-flaky-ramadan-treat |access-date=14 March 2026 |website=The Locavore |author=Mohammad Rehan}}</ref> Cadbury Desserts Corner,<ref name=cadbury/> and BBC News Gujarati<ref>{{cite web |title=હાથથી કેવી રીતે બને છે Khambhat ની પ્રખ્યાત sutarfeni - Gujarati Food |trans-title=How Khambhat's famous sutarfeni is made by hand - Gujarati Food |last=BBC News Gujarati |url=https://youtube.com/watch?v=SsIshEnEvhI |date=26 February 2023 |access-date=29 April 2026 |via=YouTube}}</ref> from India, and ''Dawn'',<ref>{{cite news |author=Caroline Eden |title=Showcasing real Indian cooking by local housewives |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1104963 |access-date=14 March 2026 |work=Dawn |date=8 May 2014}}</ref> Express News,<ref name=ak>{{cite news |author={{Nq|آفتاب خان}} |title={{Nq|رمضان کی آمد روایتی سوغات کھجلہ اورپھینی کی تیاریاں شروع}} |trans-title=Arrival of Ramadan, Preparations Start for the Traditional Dishes Khajla and Pheni |url=https://www.express.pk/story/1658153 |access-date=14 March 2026 |publisher=Express News |date=6 May 2019 |language=ur}}</ref> and Chef Afzal,<ref>{{cite web |title=Khajla Recipe Ft. Chef Afzal |last=Chef Saadat |url=https://youtube.com/watch?v=36dmKRS9c-I |date=11 May 2019 |access-date=14 March 2026 |via=YouTube}}</ref> all based in Pakistan.}}<br />
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Pheni with milk is served for [[fasting]] traditions in the Indian subcontinent. Hindu families use this during the occasion of Karva Chauth, celebrated in [[North India|Northern]] and [[Western India]], as one of the dishes while preparing their ''sargi thali'', a traditional platter which is presented by mother-in-law to the daughter-in-law. Muslim families prepare khajla and pheni with milk during ''[[suhur]]'' particularly in the month of Ramadan. It may be served with various sweet items, as well as dry fruits (whether [[garnish (cooking)|garnished]] or provided separately).{{efn|name=sum|1=Pieces of information gathered from multiple sources, such as VOA Urdu,<ref name=voa/> BBC Urdu,<ref>{{cite news |title={{Nq|لاک ڈاؤن، رمضان اور روایتی پکوان: لچھے دار پھینی جو آسانی سے گھر میں تیار ہوسکے}} |trans-title=Lockdown, Ramadan and traditional dishes: finely-threaded Pheni that can be easily prepared at home |url=https://www.bbc.com/urdu/pakistan-52649689 |access-date=28 April 2026 |publisher=BBC Urdu |date=13 May 2020 |language=ur}}</ref> ''Arab News'',<ref name="arab">{{cite news |author=Saadullah Akhtar |title=In southwest Pakistan, fried vermicelli is everyone's favorite Ramadan delight |url=https://arab.news/p6aw9 |access-date=12 March 2026 |work=[[Arab News]] |date=27 March 2023}}</ref> ''Dawn'',<ref name="dawn">{{cite news |author=Aamir Yasin |title=Rawalpindi starts its fast on a sweet note |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1336069 |access-date=12 March 2026 |work=[[Dawn.com|Dawn]] |date=29 May 2017}}</ref> and Express News,<ref name="express">{{cite news |author=Kashif Hussain |title={{Nq|رمضان کی سوغات کھجلہ اور پھینی کی تیاری عروج پر پہنچ گئی}} |trans-title=Preparations Reach Peak for the Ramadan Dishes Khajla and Pheni |url=https://www.express.pk/story/147278 |access-date=12 March 2026 |publisher=Express News |date=8 July 2013 |language=ur}}</ref> all based in Pakistan, while ''People of India Maharashtra'', a book,<ref>{{cite book |title=People of India Maharashtra (Part Three Volume xxx) |author1=Kumar Suresh Singh |author2=B. V. Bhanu |author3=Anthropological Survey of India |year=2004 |publisher=Popular Prakashan, 2004 |isbn=978-81-7991-102-0 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4bfmnmsBfQ4C&q=Fenia |access-date=12 March 2026 |page=1746}}</ref> and Her Zindagi,<ref>{{cite web |title=Sargi is a Significant Part Of Karwa Chauth; Know All About It |url=https://www.herzindagi.com/society-culture/what-is-sargi-significance-article-210535 |access-date=20 April 2026 |work=Her Zindagi |author=Lakshita Singh |date=11 October 2022}}</ref> both based in India.}}<br />
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In different states of India, pheni with milk is also prepared and served along with the other traditional dishes eaten during [[Dhanteras]] for the occasion of [[Diwali]], and as a winter delight during the festival of [[Makar Sankranti]].<ref name=nm>{{cite web |title=Pheni: How this north Indian delicacy became an essential part of Hyderabadi Diwali |url=https://newsmeter.in/hyderabad/pheni-how-this-north-indian-delicacy-became-an-essential-part-of-hyderabadi-diwali-702542 |access-date=12 March 2026 |work=News Meter |date=24 October 2022 |author=Sumavarsha Kandula}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Makar Sankranti 2017: These are the traditional sweets eaten on the kite flying festival in different states of India |url=https://www.india.com/lifestyle/makar-sankranti-2017-these-are-the-traditional-sweets-eaten-on-the-kite-flying-festival-in-different-states-of-india-1755460 |access-date=16 March 2026 |work=[[India.com|India]] |date=12 January 2017 |author=Sakshita Khosla}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Famous Food of Rajasthan - 11 Dishes You Must Try - Take Off With Me |url=https://www.tripoto.com/rajasthan/trips/famous-food-of-rajasthan-11-dishes-you-must-try-take-off-with-me-62604b36e11f8 |access-date=16 March 2026 |website=Tripoto |author=Seema Choudhari}}</ref><br />
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==Surveys==<br />
According to surveys by different publishers, pheni is usually prepared for traditional purposes, for which the bakers hire additional staff under the artisan. A local shop can stock and store it at a normal temperature for weeks without damage, and can sell up to a [[ton]] per day. In Pakistan, preparation of khajla and pheni boosts the trade of the flour, ghee, and sugar industries during the month of [[Ramadan]].{{efn|1=Pieces of information gathered from multiple sources, such as News Meter from India,<ref name=nm/> and ''Dawn'',<ref>{{cite news |author=Ammar Shahbazi |title=Precision of the pheni walla |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1195051 |access-date=14 March 2026 |work=Dawn |date=18 July 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=Mohiuddin Aazim |title=Bustling food trade activity ahead of Ramazan |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1334576 |access-date=14 March 2026 |work=Dawn |date=22 May 2017}}</ref> Express News,<ref name=ak/><ref name=express/> ''Arab News'',<ref name=arab/> and VOA Urdu,<ref name=voa>{{cite news |author={{Nq|واجد شاہ}} |title={{Nq|'پھینی' رمضان کی سوغات، لیکن اس کی تیاری آسان نہیں}} |trans-title='Pheni' a Ramadan Dish, but its Preparation is not Easy |url=https://www.urduvoa.com/a/special-food-in-ramdan-25apr2020/5390242.html |access-date=14 March 2026 |publisher=[[VOA Urdu]] |date=22 April 2020 |language=ur}}</ref> all from Pakistan.}}<br />
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Some publications note that pheni with milk is considered a calorie-dense and fat-enriched sweet dish that should only be consumed occasionally. Although it offers quick carbohydrates, helping in slow digestion and sustained energy while fasting during the day, consuming it in large amounts may cause resistance in weight-losing physical activities. While semolina has slightly higher fibre than flour, pheni still lacks significant fibre and is made up of [[empty calories]] more than an average [[paratha]].{{efn|1=Facts are largely attributed to Jacked Nutrition,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://jackednutrition.pk/blogs/do-you-know/pheni-nutritional-value |title=What You Need to Know About the Nutritional Value of Pheni |date=18 April 2023 |accessdate=15 March 2026 |website=Jacked Nutrition}}</ref> while portions of the text are also taken from two of the reports published in ''Dawn''.<ref name=dawn/><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/649950 |title=Healthy eating: Weight loss in Ramazan |date=6 August 2011 |accessdate=15 March 2026 |work=Dawn}}</ref>}}<br />
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In January 2026, the Chief Medical and Health Officer (CMHO) ordered the destruction of about a ton of pheni at a shop in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, when concerns about hygiene were raised after a video circulated on social media in which the dough for pheni was being prepared with feet.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/trending-news/story/phini-prepared-using-feet-jodhpur-officials-destroy-110-kg-after-video-goes-viral-2856337-2026-01-22 |title=Phini prepared using feet? Jodhpur officials destroy 110 kg after video goes viral |date=22 January 2026 |accessdate=21 April 2026 |work=India Today}}</ref> In a separate incident in February, the police seized a warehouse in Jiyaguda, [[Hyderabad, India]], which contained material for preparing pheni worth est. {{INR|3.98 [[lakh]]}}, because it reportedly violated guidelines of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) by being substandard.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/telangana/substandard-pheni-manufacturing-unit-busted-in-jiyaguda-one-held/article70688434.ece |title=Substandard pheni manufacturing unit busted in Jiyaguda, one held |date=28 February 2026 |accessdate=21 April 2026 |work=The Hindu}}</ref><br />
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==See also==<br />
{{Commons category}}<br />
* [[Indian cuisine]]<br />
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==Footnotes==<br />
{{notelist}}<br />
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==References==<br />
{{reflist}}<br />
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[[Category:Indian desserts]]<br />
[[Category:Pakistani desserts]]</div>Eldarljt